Grease seal cup to retain lubrication for life extension in existing splined joint

ABSTRACT

A grease seal cup for a splined joint between a drive shaft and a driven shaft comprises a cylindrical portion adapted to form a seal with the outer surface of the drive shaft and a seal with a sealing member, such as a spanner nut, of the driven shaft. The grease seal cup, comprising a flexible polymer material, tightly squeezed during installation to form the seals. The pre-fabricated light weight grease seal cup can be used in existing splined joints without adversely affecting the weight balance.

GOVERNMENT INTERESTS

The invention was made with Government support under contract number F33657-91-C-0006 awarded by Boeing Military Aircraft and is subject to the provisions of that contract. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to splined joints and, more particularly, to grease seal cups to retain lubrication for life extension in existing splined joints.

Splined joints are used in many devices for transmitting torque between two components, such as a motor drive shaft and compressor shaft. Generally, a splined joint includes a series of internal splines formed on one of the components engaging a series of external splines formed on the other of the two components. Typically, a splined joint is assembled by positioning the two components end-to-end lengthwise so that the internal splines are circumferentially aligned with the spaces between the external splines and then sliding the components axially into overlapping engagement so that the two sets of splines become enmeshed with one another.

A lubricating material, such as grease, may be provided at the interface of the internal and external splines to reduce component wear. During component operation, the lubricating material tends to be removed from the spline interface due to centrifugal force. Additionally, some splined joints are exposed to materials, such as hot hydraulic fluid, which also tend to remove the grease that is intended to lubricate the splines. Without lubrication, the splines wear out prematurely and limit the component service life. For some applications, the loss of spline joint lubrication has limited component service life to ¼-life.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,942 provides a lubrication system for a spline connection. The described system comprises a split ring at one end of the spline connection and a supply of oil at the other end. During operation, centrifugal force pushes the two halves of the split ring apart, allowing the oil to flow through the spline connection and out through the split ring. A quad o-ring around the circumference of the split ring pulls the two halves together when the shaft is stationary, closing off the oil path. Although the disclosed system may provide lubrication for a spline connection, the added weight of the heavy metal split ring may not be suitable for some existing applications. For example, applications including a Scotch yoke design require the weight balance to be maintained and the incorporation of the heavy split ring may necessitate a total redesign. Additionally, this lubrication system does not sufficiently reduce lubrication loss due to hot hydraulic fluid exposure.

Japanese Patent No. JP11180259 provides a grease cup for a connecting shaft. The cup comprises a rigid washer positioned between a shaft and a rotary lever. The rigid washer is bent upward during assembly to suppress the outflow of grease from the area between the shaft and the lever and to prevent the inflow of water. Although the described grease cup may be used to reduce grease loss from the joint between a shaft and a lever, it may not have the symmetry necessary for use in a splined joint between two high-speed rotating shafts. Additionally, because the described cup is formed during installation by bending the washer, it may not be useful for applications requiring an easy to install pre-fabricated component.

As can be seen, there is a need for improved mechanisms to retain splined joint lubrication. A lightweight apparatus that can maintain the weight balance of an existing system is needed. Additionally, an apparatus is needed that is pre-fabricated and easy to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for a splined joint formed between a first component and a second component comprises a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter adapted to receive the first component; and an end portion radially inward from and integral to the cylindrical portion, the end portion having an opening adapted to receive the second component.

In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for a splined joint formed between a drive shaft and a driven shaft comprises a polymer cup-shaped structure having a cylindrical portion and an opening; and a seal cup cavity radially inward from the cylindrical portion.

In still another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for a splined joint of a compressor comprises a cylindrical portion positioned radially outward from the splined joint and radially inward from a spanner nut of the compressor such that the splined joint is sealed.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an assembly comprises a driven shaft having a plurality of external splines; a drive shaft having a plurality of internal splines in engagement with the external splines; and a grease seal cup positioned such that a cylindrical portion of the grease seal cup is radially outward from the drive shaft and radially inward from a sealing member of the driven shaft, said cylindrical portion forming a first seal with the drive shaft and forming a second seal with the sealing member.

In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for a splined joint formed between a hydraulic motor shaft and a compressor shaft comprises a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter adapted to receive the hydraulic motor shaft and having a tapered outward surface, the cylindrical portion having an axial length of between about 0.273 inches and about 0.283 inches, the cylindrical portion comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, the cylindrical portion adapted to form a first seal with the hydraulic motor shaft and to form a second seal with a spanner nut of the compressor shaft; and an end portion radially inward from and integral to the cylindrical portion, the end portion having an opening adapted to receive the compressor shaft, the end portion having a thickness of between about 0.025 inches and about 0.031 inches.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of joining a drive shaft and a driven shaft comprises the steps of applying a lubricant to the external splines of the driven shaft; passing the driven shaft through the opening of a grease seal cup to position the external splines within the seal cup cavity of the grease seal cup; and axially urging the drive shaft toward the driven shaft such that a splined joint is formed.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of preventing loss of spline joint lubrication comprises the steps of forming a first seal between a grease seal cup and a first component of the spline joint; and forming a second seal between the grease seal cup and a sealing member of a second component of the splined joint.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a grease seal cup installation according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is an isometric view of a grease seal cup according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a cross-section view through line 2 b of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the grease seal cup installation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is a cross-section view of a grease seal cup according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a cross-section view of a grease seal cup according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 c is a cross-section view of a grease seal cup according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 d is a cross-section view of a grease seal cup according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for joining a drive shaft and a driven shaft according one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for preventing loss of spline joint lubrication according one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, the present invention provides grease seal cups to retain lubrication for life extension in existing splined joints and methods for producing the same. The grease seal cups according to the present invention may find beneficial use in many industries including aerospace, watercraft, automotive, and electricity generation. The present invention may be beneficial in applications including power transmission for automobiles, aircraft and ships. This invention may be useful in any splined joint application.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a grease seal cup for a splined joint that connects a first shaft to a second shaft. The first shaft, such as a hydraulic motor shaft, may have a plurality of internal splines. The second shaft, such as a compressor shaft, may have a plurality of external splines. Unlike the prior art, the grease seal cup may comprise a flexible polymer, such as Teflon®. The second shaft may be positioned through an opening in the bottom of the grease seal cup and the first shaft may be urged into engagement through the top of the grease seal cup. During the installation of the first shaft, the cylindrical portion of the grease seal cup may be squeezed between the outer surface of the first shaft and a component of the second shaft, such as a spanner nut, to seal the splined joint. The present invention may comprise a pre-fabricated cup-shaped apparatus that can be easily installed on the second shaft. This is unlike the prior art that requires washer bending during installation. Because the present invention may comprise a light weight polymer cup-shaped structure, it can be used in existing splined joints without adversely effecting the weight balance, which is also unlike the prior art.

A grease seal cup installation of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. A grease seal cup 40 may be positioned radially outward from a splined joint 44. The splined joint 44 may include a series of internal splines 47 (see FIG. 3) formed on a first component 45 engaging a series of external splines 48 (see FIG. 3) formed on a second component 46. The grease seal cup 40 may form a first seal 60 a with the first component 45 and form a second seal 60 b with a sealing member 58. The sealing member 58 may be a structure of the second component 46 that is radially outward from the splined joint 44, such as a spanner nut.

An embodiment of the grease seal cup 40 is depicted in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. The grease seal cup 40 may comprise a cylindrical portion 41 and an end portion 42. The end portion 42 may comprise an annular shaped member having an opening 43 there through. The cylindrical portion 41 may be adapted to receive the first component 45. The opening 43 of an end portion 42 may be adapted such that the second component 46 may be passed through the opening 43 for grease seal cup installation. The end portion 42 may be radially inward from and integral to the cylindrical portion 41 such that the circumference of the end portion 42 is in contact with the cylindrical portion 41. Radially inward may be defined with reference to a longitudinal centerline 57 through the grease seal cup 40. The cylindrical portion 41 and the end portion 42 may define a seal cup cavity 49 for receiving the splined joint 44.

A diameter 51 a of the opening 43, depicted in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, may be adapted to receive the second component 46. In other words, the diameter 51 a of the opening 43 may be such that at least a portion of the second component 46 may be passed through the opening 43 to position the external splines 48 within the seal cup cavity 49. The diameter 51 a may vary with application and may depend on factors including the dimensions of the second component 46. For example, for some splined joint applications, the diameter 51 a of the opening 43 may be between about 0.395 inches and about 0.405 inches. A diameter 51 b of the end portion 42, depicted in FIG. 2 b, may be such that the circumference of the end portion 42 is in contact with the cylindrical portion 41. A thickness 52 of the end portion 42 may vary with application and may depend on factors including the composition of the end portion 42. For some splined joint applications, the thickness 52 may be between about 0.025 inches and about 0.031 inches.

The cylindrical portion 41 may have a top end 55 and a bottom end 56, as depicted in FIG. 2 b. The bottom end 56 may be integral to the end portion 42. The cylindrical portion 41 may extend axially from the bottom end 56 to the top end 55. An axial length 68 of the cylindrical portion 41 may vary with application and may depend on factors including the dimensions of the splined joint 44. For some applications, the axial length 68 of the cylindrical portion 41 may be about equal to the axial length of the splined joint 44. For some splined joint applications, the axial length 68 may be between about 0.273 inches and about 0.283 inches.

An inner diameter 50 of the cylindrical portion 41 may be adapted to receive the first component 45. The inner diameter 50 of the cylindrical portion 41 may be about equal to a first component outer diameter 53, as depicted in FIG. 3. For some splined joint applications, the inner diameter 50 of the cylindrical portion 41 may be between about 0.565 inches and about 0.575 inches.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cylindrical portion 41 of the grease seal cup 40 may have an inward surface 61 and an outward surface 54. The inward surface 61 may conform to an outer diameter surface 59 of the first component 45 (see FIG. 3). The outward surface 54 of the cylindrical portion 41 may be adapted such that the grease seal cup 40 may form the first seal 60 a with the first component 45 and form the second seal 60 b with the sealing member 58, as depicted in FIG. 1. The sealing member 58 may be a structure of the second component 46 that is radially outward from the splined joint 44, such as a spanner nut. The sealing member 58 may vary with application. For some applications, the sealing member 58 may comprise a spanner nut to retain the shaft seal and ball bearing in place.

The outward surface 54 may be adapted such that the cylindrical portion 41 may be deformed during installation of the grease seal cup 40 to form the seals 60 a,b (See FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the outward surface 54 may be at an angle 62 to provide a tapered shape wherein an outer diameter 63 a of the cylindrical portion 41 towards the top end 55 is greater than an outer diameter 63 b of the cylindrical portion 41 towards the bottom end 56, as depicted in FIG. 4 a. In other words, the outward surface 54 may be tapered outward from the end portion 42. In an alternate embodiment, the outward surface 54 may comprise a flange 66 positioned towards the top end 55, as depicted in FIG. 4 b. In other alternate embodiments, the outward surface 54 may comprise at least one radially extending projection. For example, a plurality of ridges 64 or ribs 65 may be positioned on the outward surface 54, as depicted in FIGS. 4 c and 4 d.

The outward surface 54 may comprise any outward surface that is tightly squeezed during the installation of the grease seal cup 40 to provide the seals 60 a,b. The seals 60 a,b may physically prevent materials from entering or exiting the splined joint 44. The seals 60 a,b may prevent materials, such as hot hydraulic oil, from entering the splined joint 44. The seals 60 a,b may prevent spline joint lubrication from being removed by centrifugal force during shaft operation.

The grease seal cup 40 may be installed by passing the second component 46 through the opening 43 to position the external splines 48 within the seal cup cavity 49. The first component 45 may be urged axially toward the second component 46 such that the splined joint 44 is formed. A chamfer 67 may be provided at the top end 55 of the inward surface 61 of the cylindrical portion 41 for ease of installation. The axial urging of the first component 45 may squeeze the cylindrical portion 41 between the outer circumference surface 59 of the first component 45 and the sealing member 58. The flexible deformation of the cylindrical portion 41 may provide the seals 60 a,b.

The grease seal cup 40 may comprise a flexible polymer material. Useful flexible polymer materials may include polyamides, polyimides, elastomers, fluorocarbons, nylons, silicones, and polyvinyl and poly olefin compounds. Useful flurocarbons may include polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®). Polytetrafluoroethylene may be an inert polymer that may be useful for applications exposed to high temperatures and high pressures. Useful elastomers may include poly(vinylidine fluoridehexafluoropropylene) copolymer (Viton®). The grease seal cup 40 may be formed by conventional methods, such as machine cutting or moulding techniques. For grease seal cups 40 comprising more than one material, convention composite moulding techniques may be useful.

The first component 45 may comprise any shaft having internal splines 47. For example, the first component may comprise a drive shaft, such as a hydraulic motor drive shaft. The second component 46 may comprise any shaft having external splines 48. For example, the second component 46 may comprise a driven shaft, such as a compressor shaft.

A method 100 of joining a drive shaft and a driven shaft is depicted in FIG. 5. The method 100 may comprise a step 110 of applying a lubricant to the external splines of the driven shaft and a step 120 of passing the driven shaft through the opening of a grease seal cup to position the external splines within the seal cup cavity of the grease seal cup. The method 100 may comprise a step 130 of axially urging the drive shaft toward the driven shaft such that a splined joint is formed. The step 110 of applying a lubricant may comprise providing a grease to the surface of the external splines. The step 130 of axially urging may comprise squeezing the grease seal cup between an outer surface of the drive shaft and a spanner nut of the driven shaft.

A method 200 of preventing loss of spline joint lubrication is depicted in FIG. 6. The method 200 may comprise a step 210 of forming a first seal between a grease seal cup and a first component of the spline joint, and a step 220 of forming a second seal between the grease seal cup and a sealing member of a second component of the splined joint. The step 210 of forming the first seal may comprise squeezing the cylindrical portion of the grease seal cup such that the inward surface of the grease seal cup contacts the outer circumference surface of the first component. The step 220 of forming the second seal may comprise squeezing the cylindrical portion of the grease seal cup such that the outward surface of the grease seal cup contacts a sealing member of the second component.

As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention provides grease seal cups to retain lubrication in existing splined joints. The provided grease seal cups may comprise flexible polymer cups that may be easy to install. The grease seal cups may be used in existing applications having a Scotch yoke design without adversely affecting the weight balance.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A splined joint comprising: an internally splined first component and a second externally splined component; a grease seal cup having an end portion and an annular wall defined by a cylindrical interior portion and a tapered outer portion wherein the thickness of the annular wall increases as a function of distance from said end portion; a first seal formed between said cylindrical interior portion of said grease seal cup and said internally splined first component; a second seal formed between said tapered outer portion of said grease seal cup and a sealing member extending from and being integral to said externally splined second component so that said second seal is formed between said tapered outer portion and said second component; the end portion of the grease seal cup extending radially inward from and integral to said annular wall of the grease seal cup; the end portion of the grease seal cup engaged with an end portion of the internally splined first component; wherein the end portion of the grease seal cup resists axial displacement of the grease seal cup during axial urging of the internally splined first component into the externally splined second component, irrespective of circumferential orientation of the grease seal cup relative to the circumferential orientation of the first component or the second component; and wherein the annular wall of the grease seal cup is squeezed between said internally splined first component and said sealing member of said externally splined second component.
 2. The splined joint of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical portion comprises a flexible polymer material.
 3. The splined joint of claim 2, wherein said flexible polymer material is selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyimides, elastomers, fluorocarbons, nylons, silicones, and polyvinyl and poly olefin compounds.
 4. The splined joint of claim 2, wherein said flexible polymer material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
 5. The splined joint of claim 1, wherein said first internally splined component comprises a drive shaft.
 6. The splined joint of claim 1, wherein said second externally splined component comprises a compressor shaft.
 7. The splined joint of claim 1, wherein said grease seal cup comprises nylon.
 8. The splined joint of claim 1, wherein said grease seal cup comprises an elastomer.
 9. An assembly comprising: a drive shaft having a plurality of internal splines; a driven shaft having a plurality of external splines in engagement with said internal splines; a grease seal cup positioned such that an annular wall of said grease seal cup is radially inward from a sealing member of said driven shaft, said sealing member being integral to said driven shaft; a first seal between a cylindrical interior portion of said annular wall and said drive shaft; a second seal between a tapered outer portion of said annular wall and said sealing member extending from said driven shaft such that said second seal is positioned radially outward from said first seal, the tapered outer portion of the grease seal cup is defined wherein the thickness of the annular wall increases as a function of distance from said end portion. wherein the annular wall of the grease seal cup is squeezed between the drive shaft and the sealing member of the driven shaft; and wherein compression of the annular wall increases with increased axial insertion of the driven shaft into the drive shaft.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said drive shaft comprises a hydraulic motor drive shaft.
 11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said driven shaft comprises a compressor shaft.
 12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said grease seal cup comprises a flexible polymer material.
 13. A splined joint comprising: a hydraulic motor shaft; a compressor shaft; a grease seal cup comprising an annular wall having a cylindrical inward surface defining an inner diameter adapted to receive said hydraulic motor shaft and having a tapered outward surface, said annular wall having an axial length of between about 0.273 inches and about 0.283 inches, said cylindrical portion comprising polytetrafluoroethylene; a first seal between said cylindrical inward surface of said annular wall and said hydraulic motor shaft; a second seal between said tapered outward surface of said cylindrical portion and a sealing member extending outwardly from and being integral with said compressor shaft such that said sealing member is positioned radially outward from said first seal; an end portion radially inward from and integral to said annular wall, said end portion having an opening adapted to receive said compressor shaft, said end portion having a thickness of between about 0.025 inches and about 0.031 inches; the end portion of the grease seal cup engaged with an end portion of the hydraulic motor shaft whereby the end portion of the grease seal cup prevents axial displacement of the grease seal cup during axial urging of the compressor shaft into the hydraulic motor shaft; the grease seal cup having a uniform circumferential configuration without radially projecting elements whereby the grease seal cup may be properly positioned irrespective of circumferential orientation of the grease seal cup relative to a circumferential orientation of the hydraulic motor shaft or the compressor shaft; wherein the annular wall of the grease seal cup is squeezed between the hydraulic motor shaft and the sealing member of the compressor shaft; and wherein compression of the annular wall increases with increased axial insertion of the compressor shaft into the hydraulic motor shaft. 